Presidents of the Americas

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Overview

Over the course of the year, Americas Society and Council of the Americas (AS/COA) host heads of state from the Western Hemisphere at our offices in the United States and in cities across the region as part of our Presidents of the Americas series.

In recent years, we have hosted presidents from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay, among others.

The Series' programs include public forums or private AS/COA member-exclusive meetings, convening business leaders and leading policymakers to discuss the political, economic, and investment outlooks of their countries.

The president said he was sharing the organization’s highest honor with Argentines "who believe in their future. ... Play Video

Speakers

Mauricio Macri, President of Argentina

William R. Rhodes, Chairman Emeritus, AS/COA

Americas Society's awarded President of Argentina Mauricio Macri the Gold Insigne in recognition of his transformative leadership in Argentina and throughout the hemisphere. "I really believe this distinction is deserved by the Argentines who believe in their future, who don't accept resignation as a possibility, and who think this is a definitive opportunity to develop the country," said President Macri in his remarks before a select audience of private-sector representatives in New York. "This is the moment you have to be down there investing and betting in our future. It will be our future," said the president.

The Gold Insigne is the organization's highest honor and only granted to democratically elected, sitting heads of state. Announcing the award, AS/COA Chairman Emeritus William R. Rhodes said the president has "reinserted Argentina in the global economy." In two short years, Rhodes said, Argentina has become an important destination for foreign direct investment again and also noted Macri's leadership in coming months as Argentina prepares to host the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in December and also to assume the presidency of the G20 the same month.

While free trade has become unpopular in some parts of the world, the presidents of the Pacific Alliance trade bloc make the case for its benefits. Chile, Colombia, and Peru's presidents, along with Mexico's economy secretary, took on the subject at an AS/COA event on September 21 during their visit to New York for the 71st UN General Assembly. "Opening up economies has been extremely productive to the world," said recently elected Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. "We've had the best period of growth in the last 50 years."

In this highlights video of the panel, the leaders also discussed their hopes for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), as well as their views on the U.S. election. Mexico's Ildefonso Guajardo emphasized the importance of maintaining stable U.S.-Mexico ties, saying: "If we have to talk to the devil to guarantee the safety and future of the Mexican people in Mexico and the U.S., we'll talk to the devil."

In conjunction with the 71st UN General Assembly debate in New York, presidents of Chile, Colombia, and Peru, along with Mexico's economy secretary, came together to talk about investment and how to spur productivity and capital integration in their countries, while also touching on the possibility of a Donald Trump presidency and the political scenario in Venezuela.

Brazil's Minister of Finance Henrique Meirelles gave a presentation to private sector representatives in New York following President Michel Temer's speech inviting investors to focus on the country's infrastructure. Meirelles outlined federal government goals, such as a limit on spending ceiling, reducing the country's debt, and increasing productivity. He said that the confidence of investors and consumers in the country is growing, and that Brazil's GDP should rise along with that growing confidence.

Watch highlights from an AS/COA event featuring an interview by CNBC’s Michelle Caruso-Cabrera with the Colombian president. ... Play Video

One week after a historic agreement in the peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, best known as the FARC, President Juan Manuel Santos sat down for an interview with CNBC’s Michelle Caruso-Cabrera in the Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel in New York.

In this clip, watch highlights of a discussion, in which Santos talked about how the peace process would affect the economy, his reaction to online criticisms from former president Álvaro Uribe, and the agreement on transitional justice.

One week after a historic agreement in the peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, best known as the FARC, President Juan Manuel Santos sat down for an interview with CNBC’s Michelle Caruso-Cabrera in the Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel in New York.

The peace process “is the best thing that’s happened to Colombia for many years,” said Santos, addressing the room in English. Moreover, he said, it’s good for business: experts estimate that a peace accord could raise the country’s economic growth by 1.5 percent in perpetuity. He cited agribusiness in particular as having a “huge potential” to take off with a peace deal since rural areas, typically where the conflict plays out, can be developed and production will expand. Santos noted that the country currently has one of the highest growth rates among medium- and large-sized countries in Latin America, despite the ongoing 50-year conflict. “Colombia already is good for investment—can you imagine what we can do without the cost of the war?”

Santos defended the September 23 agreement on transitional justice, saying that, contrary to reports, it offers no impunity for crimes committed, and that only some 50 to 60 people will receive reduced sentences. He said the agreement exceeds the requirements of international human rights agreements to which Colombia subscribes, thanks to the legal expertise of University of Notre Dame professor Douglass Cassel, who advised Santos on the agreement.

Caruso-Cabrera asked about what Colombian society might look like with ex-fighters reintegrated into society. For example, would they be able to participate politically? “Of course,” said Santos. “That’s the whole purpose of this peace process: for them to lay down their arms and continue their ideological struggle through legal means.” So could FARC head Timochenko be able to run for president one day? She asked. “Why not?” Santos replied. “But I don’t think he’ll get many votes...[The FARC] are not very popular.”

The president also spoke about education, climate change, and trade in this interview with AS/COA's Susan Segal. ... Play Video

Costa Rica is not only bringing Central America together as one voice on climate change, says President Luis Guillermo Solís, but it's also expanding relations with Africa and the Middle East to develop regional industries within the Caribbean and Latin America. "You have to add diplomacy to trade policies. You can't do one without the other and be successful," said the president, who sat down with AS/COA President and CEO Susan Segal while in New York City for the UN General Assembly. Solís said that regional efforts to work together on trade and tourism help Costa Rica to join in on strategies in the works. "This is the case with partners such as Colombia and will be the case, I hope, when the Cuban tourism market becomes completely normalized," he said.

Solís talked about a $300 million project to expand broadband for educational purposes, as well as efforts to boost math and science education. "We have not been teaching children to enjoy math and science and we have to," said the president.

He also spoke of of his efforts to support gender diversity on a multilateral level, saying: "It is already time for a woman to run the United Nations."

Over the course of the year, Americas Society and Council of the Americas (AS/COA) host heads of state from the Western Hemisphere at our offices in the United States and in cities across the region as part of our Presidents of the Americas series.

In recent years, we have hosted presidents from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay, among others.

The Series' programs include public forums or private AS/COA member-exclusive meetings, convening business leaders and leading policymakers to discuss the political, economic, and investment outlooks of their countries.

The president said he was sharing the organization’s highest honor with Argentines "who believe in their future. ... Play Video

Speakers

Mauricio Macri, President of Argentina

William R. Rhodes, Chairman Emeritus, AS/COA

Americas Society's awarded President of Argentina Mauricio Macri the Gold Insigne in recognition of his transformative leadership in Argentina and throughout the hemisphere. "I really believe this distinction is deserved by the Argentines who believe in their future, who don't accept resignation as a possibility, and who think this is a definitive opportunity to develop the country," said President Macri in his remarks before a select audience of private-sector representatives in New York. "This is the moment you have to be down there investing and betting in our future. It will be our future," said the president.

The Gold Insigne is the organization's highest honor and only granted to democratically elected, sitting heads of state. Announcing the award, AS/COA Chairman Emeritus William R. Rhodes said the president has "reinserted Argentina in the global economy." In two short years, Rhodes said, Argentina has become an important destination for foreign direct investment again and also noted Macri's leadership in coming months as Argentina prepares to host the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in December and also to assume the presidency of the G20 the same month.

While free trade has become unpopular in some parts of the world, the presidents of the Pacific Alliance trade bloc make the case for its benefits. Chile, Colombia, and Peru's presidents, along with Mexico's economy secretary, took on the subject at an AS/COA event on September 21 during their visit to New York for the 71st UN General Assembly. "Opening up economies has been extremely productive to the world," said recently elected Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. "We've had the best period of growth in the last 50 years."

In this highlights video of the panel, the leaders also discussed their hopes for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), as well as their views on the U.S. election. Mexico's Ildefonso Guajardo emphasized the importance of maintaining stable U.S.-Mexico ties, saying: "If we have to talk to the devil to guarantee the safety and future of the Mexican people in Mexico and the U.S., we'll talk to the devil."

In conjunction with the 71st UN General Assembly debate in New York, presidents of Chile, Colombia, and Peru, along with Mexico's economy secretary, came together to talk about investment and how to spur productivity and capital integration in their countries, while also touching on the possibility of a Donald Trump presidency and the political scenario in Venezuela.

Brazil's Minister of Finance Henrique Meirelles gave a presentation to private sector representatives in New York following President Michel Temer's speech inviting investors to focus on the country's infrastructure. Meirelles outlined federal government goals, such as a limit on spending ceiling, reducing the country's debt, and increasing productivity. He said that the confidence of investors and consumers in the country is growing, and that Brazil's GDP should rise along with that growing confidence.

Watch highlights from an AS/COA event featuring an interview by CNBC’s Michelle Caruso-Cabrera with the Colombian president. ... Play Video

One week after a historic agreement in the peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, best known as the FARC, President Juan Manuel Santos sat down for an interview with CNBC’s Michelle Caruso-Cabrera in the Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel in New York.

In this clip, watch highlights of a discussion, in which Santos talked about how the peace process would affect the economy, his reaction to online criticisms from former president Álvaro Uribe, and the agreement on transitional justice.

One week after a historic agreement in the peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, best known as the FARC, President Juan Manuel Santos sat down for an interview with CNBC’s Michelle Caruso-Cabrera in the Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel in New York.

The peace process “is the best thing that’s happened to Colombia for many years,” said Santos, addressing the room in English. Moreover, he said, it’s good for business: experts estimate that a peace accord could raise the country’s economic growth by 1.5 percent in perpetuity. He cited agribusiness in particular as having a “huge potential” to take off with a peace deal since rural areas, typically where the conflict plays out, can be developed and production will expand. Santos noted that the country currently has one of the highest growth rates among medium- and large-sized countries in Latin America, despite the ongoing 50-year conflict. “Colombia already is good for investment—can you imagine what we can do without the cost of the war?”

Santos defended the September 23 agreement on transitional justice, saying that, contrary to reports, it offers no impunity for crimes committed, and that only some 50 to 60 people will receive reduced sentences. He said the agreement exceeds the requirements of international human rights agreements to which Colombia subscribes, thanks to the legal expertise of University of Notre Dame professor Douglass Cassel, who advised Santos on the agreement.

Caruso-Cabrera asked about what Colombian society might look like with ex-fighters reintegrated into society. For example, would they be able to participate politically? “Of course,” said Santos. “That’s the whole purpose of this peace process: for them to lay down their arms and continue their ideological struggle through legal means.” So could FARC head Timochenko be able to run for president one day? She asked. “Why not?” Santos replied. “But I don’t think he’ll get many votes...[The FARC] are not very popular.”

The president also spoke about education, climate change, and trade in this interview with AS/COA's Susan Segal. ... Play Video

Costa Rica is not only bringing Central America together as one voice on climate change, says President Luis Guillermo Solís, but it's also expanding relations with Africa and the Middle East to develop regional industries within the Caribbean and Latin America. "You have to add diplomacy to trade policies. You can't do one without the other and be successful," said the president, who sat down with AS/COA President and CEO Susan Segal while in New York City for the UN General Assembly. Solís said that regional efforts to work together on trade and tourism help Costa Rica to join in on strategies in the works. "This is the case with partners such as Colombia and will be the case, I hope, when the Cuban tourism market becomes completely normalized," he said.

Solís talked about a $300 million project to expand broadband for educational purposes, as well as efforts to boost math and science education. "We have not been teaching children to enjoy math and science and we have to," said the president.

He also spoke of of his efforts to support gender diversity on a multilateral level, saying: "It is already time for a woman to run the United Nations."